I'm getting discouraged......

[PrincezMo]

I've been entering numerous sweepstakes daily for the last five months or so, and nothing....... any advice to a non-winner???:confused:

[tennmaw]

Hang in there. How many sweeps will you win if you don't enter. I'm sure they will come when you least expect it.:)

[sky]

Remember the drawing does not occur on the day the sweeps closes, or even the next day. Sometimes it can be weeks after the close of the sweeps or even months. Even after the drawing it can take what seems like a lengthy period to notify the winners. Just when you least expect it..the win..no matter how small it is will come. Keep entering. It has been said already, but like I tell my friends you can't win if you don't enter.

[PrincezMo]

Thanks guys. I do have another question......

Most sweeps give you the option to sign up for mailing lists, etc (which I NEVER do). Does this lessen my chances to win???

[gcomstock]

Hi Princezmo-

Welcome to the forums!

If you're feeling discouraged...would suggest you re-visit the fundamentals:

1. Make sure you've read the rules carefully at least once for EVERY contest you enter. Make sure you're just NOT entering any that you aren't eligible for...

2. Use Roboform. It won't help you WIN...but it will make entering much faster and easier. That way you can a. either enter more contests, or b. invest less time in the hobby, and hopefully feel less frustrated with the time "wasted."

3. Don't waste your hopefulness on random (or "just any") contests...only enter those with prizes you really want, and which seem to be from reliable websites. Guard your heart...if you're feeling tender and vulnerable, don't kiss everybody at the party. The downside to this is that by entering only the "better prizes" contests...you'll be playing in a longer odds game. The flipside to this idea is...go play the Hanes Tagless daily instant win contest- lots of winners, and maybe even a little old t-shirt would brighten your day...

4. Recognize that your experience...come's with the territory. If you were a fisherman, and hadn't caught a single fish in five months...time to check your bait and rig, or find a new hobby. But this is more like a golfer scoring an eagle. NOT a hole-in-one...since most golfers NEVER hit one. But winning a sweepstakes is a pretty big stroke of luck, and the Winner's Circle here might be misleading. Millions of lousy golfers find a way to enjoy the activity, despite being crummy ball strikers. But this sweepstaking hobby isn't really a game of skill (beyond a little good judgement in wisely choosing in which "fountains to toss your coins.") For every "I won the Grand Prize" post...millions upon millions of entries were clicked overall. Accept that, deal with that...or quit. Not meaning to be harsh at all...it's VERY hard for folks to walk away from abusive relationships. But if each and everyday it feels like sweepstakes are whipping your heiny...

5. Find, and rejoice, in the inspiration (and clues) you can obtain from the Winner's Circle. It's reassuring to keep reading that "so and so" won this prize or that. Sure, it wasn't YOU that won it...but it does reinforce that the prizes are winnable. This is lighter side of the "fickle finger of fate" phenomonon...cuzz you'll also read on these message boards about people losing jobs, having cancer and auto accidents. Kinda brings "the headlines" close to home. Makes you wanna be careful, follow the rules, count your blessings...and just keep blocking and tackling.

Good luck! Now get clicking!

[lolatoo2]

I never do either and I still win. Unless it's required for you to sign up for an email (which they tell you in the rules), it shouldn't hurt your chances at all. good luck!

[Fflur]

Ive never won anything either, but I enjoy entering the contests...and I really find joy in coming here and reading about other peoples wins.

[kbsocial]

Sometimes I will sign up for a newsletter or mailing list if it says it will inform you of upcoming sweepstakes:)

[sunfrog]

Enter some sweeps that have like 10,000 4th place prizes. You'll find that even a liitle win will brighten your spirits. I try not to focus on the big prizes but look at the other prizes offered because those are easier to win.

I don't know what George said but most sweeps don't get millions and millions of entries. Good grief! That would make me discouraged! Maybe PCH, I don't know. I've never heard of such a thing. Millions and millions of entries?? How many did HGTV get last year?

Back in the day, snail mail sweeps would get around 150,000 entries. I don't know how internet sweeps are doing compared to that. I think this would make a good question for another thread. :)

I never sign up for newsletters unless the people running the sweep are nice.

[jklkj]

if you don't play, you can't win

i only enter any sweeps one time...
and i win occasionally

[VSLibby]

I started in June and didn't win anything until this month, then I had two small wins and what I consider a big win--a year's supply of water. Hmmm . . . anyway, George is wise (very owl-like) in saying that if you don't enjoy it, you shouldn't do it. For me, a hobby that doesn't cost any money and provides this much entertainment is a prize in itself.

[Kimberly]

I can definitely understand how you feel. Maybe we will both hit a good one soon. Keep on entering and keep your fingers crossed.

[Cwazy Wabbit]

Please don't be discouraged. Wins don't always happen right away. Every juding agency is different. There are times when I received notification of a win not long after a sweeps ended. There are other times when it took up to six months to hear back about a win. I remember when I won $100 spenable cash through the HSN. It took them almost six months to contact me. :goofy2:

I agree with another poster here when they say a win could happen when you least expect it.

[Katie Scarlet]

Welcome to the family PrincezMo!!! There are several things to remember when entering sweeps....

1. Have fun. If it's not fun, you're doing something wrong.

2. Enter as often as possible (or as often as it is fun to enter)

3. Know that everytime you throw the ball, you might not complete the pass, but you were in the game. Next time might be your time to shine. Always keep your eye on the ball, and remember, you gotta play to win.

4. Be patient. See suggestion #3

5. When in doubt, enter something else. Someone has to win... it could be you!

Good luck and don't give up... winner never do!

Katie :)

[kibwe]

Welcome,

I can't add much more to what's already been posted. Just keep plugging away. I'm still seeking one of those "Big" wins. I've had dry spells over 8 mos as well. It just makes that win more rewarding. You should try the Instant wins too...I'd bet you'd pick up your first one there. Good Luck & Happy sweeping!

Ciao.. :cool:

[tommy]

welcome to the site mo and like yourself i get discouraged about not winning also, in fact i quit sweepin about every three months or so but like someone said earlier if ya don't enter ya can't win so just keep pluggin along and sooner or later the wins will roll in

tommy :D

[littlebit870]

All the advice given is right on the money !!! It took about 4 months or so before I won anything. Lots of contest end and if you win they just send your prize with no notice. It will just arrive and you will be so excited! You can't win if you don't enter so just keep going. But this is supposed to be fun not make you feel bad! I hope all this advice has given you a different outlook on sweeping. It really is a great hobby!

Ms Dee Dee